Nov.

29, 2012

www.interaction.org

Contacts: Sue Pleming: 202.552.6561 or 202.341.3814 (Cell) or spleming@interaction.org Jeanne Paradis: 202.552.6535 or 202.297.1696 (Cell) or jparadis@interaction.org

InterAction announces latest innovation awardees

WASHINGTON (Nov. 29, 2012) InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international NGOs, announced the Best Practices and Innovations (BPI) award winners on Thursday. ACDI/VOCA, Alliance to End Hunger and Lutheran World Relief received the awards, which focus on building the capacity of local implementing partners working in food security and agriculture. InterActions award for Best Practices and Innovations recognizes organizations that effectively build local capacity in countries around the world, said Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction. By fostering local capacity, international NGOs build self-sufficient communities, and ensure that a projects success outlives an individual program. Submissions for the award were reviewed by a selection committee with technical expertise in food security and evaluated according to five criteria: evidence of effectiveness/success; efficiency/costeffectiveness; equitable outcomes for women and men; sustainability, and ease of adaptability or reproduction. Award Winners ACDI/VOCA links impoverished farmers to formal value chains by organizing sessions where local institutions share innovative management and technical training with farming groups, helping farming coalitions to form clear marketing plans focused on buyers, and providing improved tools. Alliance to End Hunger works with partners in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda to help civil society build their organizational and financial capacity; diversify their coalitions, with particular emphasis on engaging farmers and producers organizations; and increase their capacity to engage in policy and advocacy at the national level. Lutheran World Relief supported a Ugandan cooperative of more than 5,000 small-holder coffee farmers, with agricultural advisory services and organizational structures. These changes resulted in a 60 percent increase in coffee production over three years, outside investment and interest, and increased sales which allowed for higher wages, permanent technical staff, and processing equipment. The BPI initiative was launched by InterAction in 2009 with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to boost practice standards for field programs by sharing exemplary program models. For additional information on BPI, including a list of previous winners, please visit: http://www.interaction.org/work/best-practices.

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InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org
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